Children, history in focus at DeWine pre-inaugural festivities at Air Force museum

Randy Ludlow The Columbus Dispatch @RandyLudlow

Monday

Jan 14, 2019 at 9:03 AM

DAYTON — Less than 2 miles away, the Wright brothers perfected their fabulous flying machine early in the last century.

Hundreds of families, children in tow, turned out at the National Museum of the United States Air Force for a pre-inaugural event Sunday produced by incoming Gov. Mike DeWine's inaugural and transition team billed as “Science, Discovery and Family Fun.”

Children gazed in wonder at historic aircraft, including the famed B-17 Flying Fortress “Memphis Belle” of World War II, and participated in hands-on learning and exhibits.

Surrounding them was an array of amazing aircraft, from fighter jets to propeller planes that ferried presidents around the nation — and, in Franklin D. Roosevelt's case, to the Malta Conference to meet Winston Churchill in 1945.

The day before taking the oath of office, DeWine urged the children in attendance to give flight to their dreams.

As he stood beneath the tail of the Air Force One that carried presidents Kennedy through Clinton — and on which Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office while ferrying JFK’s body back to Washington, D.C., from Dallas — DeWine talked of children and paving their future, from inner cities to Appalachia.

“There’s nothing more important than the education of our children,” said DeWine, who was scheduled to take the oath of office early Monday at his Cedarville-area home.

DeWine, led by a pledge to improve early childhood education, has promised that K-12 education will be a priority on his watch, and he called on the children and their parents to embrace science, technology, engineering and mathematics as part of their future.

The Republican noted that the coming year will mark the 50th since Ohioan Neil Armstrong became the first man to step foot on the moon.

His remarks concluded, children and their parents scattered throughout the 19 acres under roof to learn and partake of history. DeWine and his wife, Fran, walked the cavernous space posing for selfies and shaking hands.

There was one unexpected delivery. Boy Scout James Nordmeyer, 11, of Enon, showed up with a box of popcorn that DeWine ordered and bought at a Clark County legislative fundraiser a few months back. James, who sold more than $3,000 worth of popcorn, confessed to being “nervous” in handing the kernels to the governor-to-be.

Bill Woody, a 92-year-old World War II merchant marine from Riverside, arose from his wheelchair to give DeWine a hug and a kiss, proclaiming that he is a “Mike DeWine man.”

Woody, who became a carpenter after his service on the seas, helped to build Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

DeWine was to deliver his inaugural speech at the Statehouse on Monday following a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony.

DeWine took his official oath at his home early Monday at his home near Cedarville atop a stack of nine family Bibles so each of his eight children could one day have one on which he swore to guide Ohio.

DeWine also signed six executive orders, including extending one issued last month by then-Gov. John Kasich forbidding discrimination in state employment on the basis of gender identity.

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Sister Publications

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Times Reporter ~ 629 Wabash Ave. NW New Philadelphia, OH 44663 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service